India’s Response Pending on Bangladesh’s Request for Yunus-Modi Meeting at UNGA
India has yet to finalize its decision regarding Bangladesh’s formal request for a meeting between interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, coinciding with their attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month. Sources familiar with the situation suggested that a meeting now appears improbable due to negative reactions stemming from Yunus’s recent public statements made in an interview with an Indian media outlet.
Earlier this week, the Bangladeshi administration formally proposed the meeting, acknowledging that both leaders will be present at the UNGA. However, the Indian side has not yet determined its stance on this request, as Prime Minister Modi’s schedule for bilateral discussions remains under consideration.
In the aforementioned interview, Yunus expressed discontent regarding prior comments made by Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India. Yunus indicated that Bangladesh is contemplating seeking Hasina’s extradition and criticized the prevailing narrative that portrays all non-Awami League political groups in Bangladesh as “Islamist.”
He stated, “If India wishes to offer her asylum until Bangladesh requests her repatriation, it would be expected that she refrains from public commentary,” underscoring that her remarks while in India are detrimental to both Bangladesh and Indian relations.
The Bangladeshi authorities have communicated to India their firm stance that Hasina should maintain silence during her stay, given that she is campaigning from Indian territory. Despite Yunus’s critical observations, India has yet to respond formally. Sources indicate that such public comments may hinder the enhancement of Indo-Bangladeshi relations.
It is notable that India had previously granted Hasina the opportunity to remain in the country following her resignation on August 5, although the external affairs ministry refrained from commenting on Yunus’s suggestion regarding extradition, labeling it as a hypothetical situation.
Since assuming leadership just three days after Hasina’s departure, Yunus has engaged with Modi via phone; discussions during that call included assurances regarding the protection of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, particularly after incidents of violence following the previous administration’s exit. Yunus has since characterized claims regarding attacks on Hindus as exaggerated, reinforcing his commitment to addressing the security of all minority groups in Bangladesh.
However, apprehensions persist that Yunus’s interim government may be struggling to maintain control, with indications of disarray among factions within the caretaker administration. The evolving circumstances necessitate careful navigation of Indo-Bangladeshi relations as both nations prepare for the upcoming assembly.
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